October 3, 2021

Unity

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Paul has been guided to write a letter to the Corinthian church
    • If you had to write a letter to the Corinthians, what would you write about?
  • There were many problems:
    • Serious doctrinal error
    • Prostitution
    • Disunity
    • Scandalous sin
    • Drunkenness
    • An abuse of spiritual gifts
    • Failure to consider the conscience of a weaker member
    • One member taking another to court
  • What do you think was the most important issue?
    • Paul deals with disunity first
    • Why?
      • If you don't deal with this - how can you deal with other issues, exercise church discipline or bring doctrinal clarity
  • How do you deal with this?
    • Last week we considered v1-9
      • He reminds them that they are the church of God and he thanks God for them
      • He affirms them
      • He loves them
      • He desires for their good
    • v10 - he is now pleading with them out of love
      • 1 Cor 10:17 - we are one
      • We are united
        • In matters of conscience we have liberty
      • At communion we must make sure we are united

Paul is not Partisan

  • He does not show favour to any group in the church
    • He pleads not on the basis of his apostleship but the name of the Lord Jesus Christ - v10
  • Members of Chloe's household have written to Paul (v11) - but he takes no side on the issue
    • He simply reports there must be no divisions
    • Everyone needs to come together
  • The issue affects the whole church - v12
    • There seemed to be different divisions - some following Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ (an elite group with a wrong spiritual view)
    • It can seem impossible - like a smashed bauble
      • God can overrule

Why is unity important?

  • It is a very poor witness to the world when Christians bicker and fall out
    • Details come out
  • A church cannot move forward when there is disunity
    • There is no blessing
    • The Holy Spirit is grieved
    • New Christians are confused
  • There is a perfect unity in the Trinity and we are to express this / we are united with Christ
    • We are not to dishonour the name of God

How important is unity?

  • Is there a danger on focusing on this too much?
    • Quote from CH Spurgeon
  • Paul does not harp on about disunity throughout the letter
    • v18 - he speaks about Jesus Christ
    • Our eyes are taken off ourselves to Christ
  • Reading John 17:11, 21-23
    • It was upon Jesus' heart for His people to be one
  • It is raised in every epistle
    • Romans 15:5-6, 16:17
    • 2 Corinthians 2:8, 11 - reaffirm your brother
    • 2 Corinthians 13:11
    • Galatians 5:14-15
    • Ephesians 4:1-3
  • It should be constantly taught in the church
    • We must not teach just this but the whole gamut of Scripture

How are we to maintain/restore Unity?

  • There must be honesty/openness
    • Maybe only a few know
    • It is better that things come out into the open (if they cannot/should not be dealt with individually)
      • What was it wrong for the household of Chloe to write to Paul?
        • No - he was an apostle and they needed help
      • Paul's reply - is bring things out in the open
    • Some cultures are too open and others too closed
  • Pointing people to Christ
    • We must avoid human ego/cliques
      • Paul highlights this issue - v12
      • People attach themselves to men rather than Christ
    • Paul was horrified and probably Apollos and Cephas
      • He asks a series of questions to speak to their conscience
    • Paul reminds them they were not baptised in the name of a man
      • He points them to Jesus Christ
      • Quote from AW Tozer
      • Paul had not baptised any (nor did Jesus)
        • He was sent to preach and not baptise
        • Baptism is secondary to the gospel
    • Paul directs the focus from me to Christ
      • Do we speak too much of men?
      • Example
      • We can thank God for these men - but remember that Christ is above all
      • Quote from Martin Luther, CH Spurgeon
  • Humble in approach
    • Phil 2:2-4
      • There must be no rivalry or pride - we are to esteem others better than ourselves
    • 1 Cor 12
      • Give special honour to the weak
    • Phil 2:7
  • Christians come different background and differ in opinion
    • Rom 8, 1 Cor 14
    • We might have different areas of conscience
    • We can speak freely
  • Overall we do things for the edification of the body
    • Quote from Meldenius "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity"

Closing Remarks

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